Rich and Doug, I knew an M15 had sailed from California to Hawaii, but the Nor'Sea website states, "Montgomery 17's have cruised the Caribbean, sailed from California to Hawaii and from Cape Hatteras to San Diego via the Panama Canal, and sailed the length of the Mississippi." This statement is taken from Jerry Montgomery's original brochure. It's repeated in "Small Craft Advisor". I wouldn't press the matter if the statement were, "MONTGOMERYS have cruised . . ." I know it's an insignificant detail, but it's clearly wrong. UNLESS, there's an M17 passage that hasn't been recorded in the old newsletter or on the list . . . The M15 and M17 are two clearly different boats. --Craig

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Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 5:33 PM

I believe the Montgomery boat which sailed to Hawaii was an M15. I'm not aware of a 17.

Regarding sailing conditions for the M15. This morning I sailed "Really" from Coyote Point to Redwood City. This is a 14 mile trip on San Francisco Bay. There's a high pressure area to the southeast which was supposed to make this a most pleasant warm weather sailing experience because of a flood tide with 2.5 knots under the San Mateo Bridge. However, a new weather report had small craft warnings for the bay in the afternoon. There was fog off to the northwest. I left at 9am with 12 knot winds out of the nnw. And big wave action. It must have been blowing last night. I sailed with a 36sf, 4.5 ounce jib and a full main. I was flying. Once I got under the San Mateo bridge it became pleasant but at about 10:45am it started blowing over 15+ knots. Because of the wave action I put one reef in the main. It wasn't enough. I lowered the jib and sailed under control to the Redwood Creek launch ramp.

I consider San Francisco Bay a marginal place to sail the M15 under these conditions because of all the variables and being on big water with no assistance nearby. For many years I sailed a Pearson Electric and a Cal 20 in the same area and I had few concerns because of the deeper keels and being heavier boats. Now - it's different. You have to realize your limitations and the boats limitations.